Confessions of a sex worker

But escorts who are there now told researchers: “There’s lots of us, but we all live in a pond. We’re hidden, we’re under stones and rocks.”

Research showed that large numbers of women are driven to sell sell sex to survive, according to the Changing Lives’ Girls Are Proud (GAP) project.

The project asked sex workers to interview 20 women in the north east about their lives and work, the Chronicle reported.

“There’s lots of us, but we all live in a pond”

Escort

The report claims these sex workers are desperate individuals driven to exchange sex for drugs, alcohol, or just a place to stay.

One woman interviewed said she offered full sexual congress for as little as £10 when she needed a quick drug fix.

The report said: “All but one of the women interviewed noted that sex work in Durham and Darlington is hidden, and also appeared to believe that the residents and police force would prefer not to acknowledge its existence.”

Interviewed women of the night were found to be highly vulnerable to sexual and domestic abuse from their customers.

One woman said: “If you have nowhere to go, how are you meant to get out of that situation when there’s no help?

“There’s nothing out there. Where do you go?”

GETTY

PAY: Large numbers of women are driven to sell sell sex to survive

People caught having sex in public

Tuesday, 15th November 2016

Members of the public don't seem to mind being caught having sex, so much so they're at it on the train platform, in shopping centres and even on top of buildings.

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Wales News

Two randy revellers were filmed having sex on a nightclub sofa in front of other clubbers.

Escorts reported feeling more in control of their situation, and tended to charge higher prices for their services.

But many sex workers felt uncomfortable reporting crimes against them to the police.

One said: “I think that the police are the reason that some women don’t come forward for help because of the way they treat them.”

Detective Supt Victoria Fuller, safeguarding lead for Durham Constabulary, said: “It is fair to say that women involved in sex work in County Durham and Darlington have not always had the confidence to report and ensure they get the support and understanding they need.

“However I am pleased to say that, as the report notes, attitudes are changing within Durham Constabulary and we are working to improve confidence to report by prioritising this area.”

Changing Lives Chief Executive Stephen Bell called the results of the study "alarming".

He added: “Too many young people, not just girls, grow up in an environment where abuse, both violent and sexual, are all too common. They either witness it or suffer it."